Lake Minnewaska Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

Wasn't terribly nervous about my first triathlon and open water swim. Kept my head clear and it was a nice low key event so didn't get myself too worked up.

Had fun, but definately questioned 'why did I want to do this again?' a couple times during the swim. I saw several people pull themselves off the course and several that went and grabbed a buouy. I really wanted to go grab one myself, but I kept telling myself that the swimming is so mental and I wasn't going to drown or anything.

Water was warm, compared to the air temp. The water was not very calm ... maybe it was to the more experienced, but it definately made me feel as I as struggling until we made the turn home!

Started too fast. Tried to keep up with some of the group I started with. Just need to swim my own race.

Didn't pay attention to my form at all. The experience was too new, exciting, scary, etc to even think about my stroke. I think I will do better next race, now that I have one under my belt. As long as I don't psych myself out!

found bike just fine. Had 'bucket' to sit on to put on socks/shoes. Too slow getting on socks and three strap shoes and positioning shoe tongue.

Figure out a pre-race nutrition routine. Felt queazy a couple times early on after the swim. Could have just been nervs?

Get shoes I can keep on the bike and ride in without socks. Socks really slowed me down in the T1.

I didn't get a chance to 'walk' the course. So I took it fairly easy, especially on the hills. The hills were mostly rolling, with one short steady incline and one long steady incline just before the turn around. I looked down and saw I was down to 9mph at one point. I could have attacked the hills a littl emore if I had some course perspective, I think. Coming down at 34mph made up a little for the 9mph up.

Queazy stomach about 2 minutes into the ride. Other than that, it went ok. Was passed by two of my age-groupers but we played a little tag. I lost ground up hills but gained a ton on the down hills ... hmmm, that must mean I am a little too fat:)

Drive the course before hand.

Do some swim bike workouts

Took too much time putting on Garmin wrist strap. Had it on the bike, but forgot to put it on.

Had to run with socks on pavement, since I put socks on for the bike.

Maybe swim with the Garmin strap on, next time?

Get race shoes I can wear without socks?

I am just sorta slow ... just need to gain confidence in the running and train more. Also, lose a little weight will help. I got used to the HRM in training, but didn't wear it for the race.

Tried my damndest to hold off a woman from heat 3 that was coming up behind me. I surprised myself and finished with a 5 1/2 minute max pace on the home stretch, was able to hold her off. Thanks for the push, whoever you were!

Consider wearing the HRM so I can monitor and adjust to my workload while running. It is hard for me to determine pace and effort off of the bike. the Garmin really helps on those to fronts ...

Besided holding my shaking legs from collapsing, just a walk off and light hammy, quad, and lower back stretch.

We meet by my kids and wife soon after ... I am sure I looked like I was going to pass out and scared them!

Good thing it was a cool day, or I would have definately performed worse.


experience
slight equipment fumblings ... shoes, socks, watch
running ability
swimming confidence
not knowing the course before hand


Great first time race, but I am sure it lacks the pizzaz of other races. I have only been in large running events previous to this, so my experience/perspective is limited